MLA Style

Research Paper Process

Topic SelectionChoose several

topics; but only select the one on which you can find several resource materials.

i.e.. Books, magazines, encyclopedia, online sources, film, radio, authority figure and so on.

Searching for sources takes a lot of work; please do not just stop at the WCHS library; try the Provincial library, UPEI, credible online articles (World Book Online & EBSCO) and various organizations.

Narrow your topic and write up several possible thesis statements.

Types of SourcesBooksNewspapersPamphletsFilmsPersonal/Authority

Figure

MagazinesEncyclopediasNewslettersRadio ProgramOnline Sources –

articles, journals and so on

Thesis StatementA thesis statement is your

main claim or main argument of your paper. All of the evidence that you collect should support your thesis.

Thesis represents a narrow scope of your topic.

For constructing a thesis, ask a question about the topic, and the specific answer could be your thesis. (See next slide)

For the topic of “Hockey Night in Canada”, one possible question is “is hockey skill increasing among the majority of players in the professional league compared to 20 years ago?”

An answer and possible thesis could be the following:“Professional hockey players today are

displaying more skill than those in the NHL twenty years ago.”

Thesis Statement continued…

An outline is a blueprint which helps to direct you. A sample outline is as follows:

I. Introduction – Introductory paragraphs including your thesis.

II. Description of hockey skills.III. Major current hockey players and their skills.IV. Major current hockey players 20 years ago

and their skillsV. ComparisonVI. Conclusion

Outline

A valuable method is to use index cards to compile your notes so you can rearrange and organize them.

Begin by writing the name of your source (book) and author on the top of the page. Include page #s.

Write a sub-heading so you know what type of information will be on the card(s) at a glance.

Notes are paraphrased.

Note Cards

The History of Hockey by Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe pp. 65-70

“Hockey Skills” – subtopicSkills such as balanced, speedy skating,

slick stick handling and sharp awareness of the action are still necessary skills for professional hockey. Currently, the NHL is more competitive so players come fairly skilled and train harder.

Note Card Example

Rough DraftsAfter you have

researched and written at least 20 note cards focusing on your thesis, you can begin a rough draft. It will follow your outline.

Since this is a research paper, and none of it will be your opinion, you will have to cite your sources (state where you attained the information).

You should write or type your draft in 1.5 or 2 spacing to make numerous corrections. At least 2 drafts with revisions/editing notations are required; so print off each copy and handwrite notations.

Revise, revise, revise!

A citation is text that states where you received your information. You would include this after your last source and before your new one.

Generally, it can be inset at the end of each paragraph or couple of paragraphs depending upon the source.

However, if you use two different sources for one sentence, you will have two in-text citations within.

See the following examples:

In-Text Citations

Assume the following is a paragraph in my paperSidney Crosby, no doubt, is one of the most

skilled hockey players today in the NHL; critics state that he will surpass Wayne Gretzky in legendary status. Each year, new drafts exhibit finer skills and smooth tactics (Gretzky & Howe 23-30).

The citation is the part in brackets containing authors’ last name and page nos. Be sure to follow exact order.

See another example on next slide.

Twenty years ago, there were fewer methods to train competitive hockey players (Cherry 131); today, young athletes have fitness clubs, hockey schools, personal trainers and better nutrition to raise their level of skill (MacLean 22).

Look at the sentence above to see that I have used two sources for one sentence.

If you are using a source with no author, use the title in quotation marks for the citation.

If you are using a film, use the Director’s name.

If you are using an encyclopedia article, look at the bottom to see if there is an author; if not, use the title in quotation marks.

In-text Citations

The last page of your paper consists of a bibliography which is entitle d “Works Cited”.

Follow the MLA format in A Canadian Writer’s Reference by Diana Hacker in hard copy or online at http://www.dianahacker.com/resdoc/

The library will have a copy, ask Ms. MacKendrick.

Follow the directions exactly. See the next slide for an example.

Works Cited

Dryden, Ken. “Hockey”. Encyclopedia Britannica. Vol. IV.

Gretzky, Wayne & Gordie Howe. Hockey: Then & Now. Toronto: McClelland Publishers. 2006.

“Hockey in the 80’s”. Hockey History. 11 November 2007. www.hockeyhistory.ca .

Works Cited

Each page has to be numbered with the exception of the Cover Page. You would include your last name and page number “right justified” at the top.

See the next slide for example.

Page Numbers

MacDonald 1

The title page should include the following:1/3 of the way down the page – Title (size

12/14 font), no bold.

Another 1/3 of the page – your name.

Bottom 1/3 – Title of course on one line, teacher’s name on the next line and date (day, month, year) on the next.

See example.

Title Page

NHL Hockey Skills in 2008 and 1987

Nathan MacDonald

English 621Mr. C. Murphy

12 December 2008

Typing the PaperUse size 12 or 14

conservative font such as Arial or Times New Roman.

1.5 spacing

Tab indents between paragraphs.

Enter one between paragraphs.